do not obfuscate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not obfuscate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to instruct someone to be clear and straightforward in their communication, avoiding confusion or ambiguity. Example: "In our discussions, please do not obfuscate your points; clarity is essential for effective collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But even all of these challenges do not obfuscate his greatest burden.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The message was: don't dismiss us, and don't obfuscate.

The New York Times

"You just want to make sure you don't obfuscate it with anything," Mr. Batali, the chef, explained, as he stirred the anchovy salad.

The New York Times - Food

Don't obfuscate the truth because doing so denies the person the opportunity to understand and grow.

Huffington Post

Don't obfuscate their availability so that you can get lower cost workers through Congressional amendments or add poison pills to bills.

Huffington Post

Don't obfuscate.

WikiHow

It does not obfuscate its Jewish heritage; nothing remains of it to hide.

The Guardian

She does not obfuscate with stylistic idiosyncrasies or use words you have to look up in the dictionary.

The Guardian - Books

I do not want to obfuscate the fundamental differences between genetic and cultural mechanisms of evolution.

Biology and Philosophy

It should be demanding that the candidates address the issues, and when they don't — when they obfuscate or duck the question — come back again, and again, and again, until you get an answer.

The New Yorker

Twitter will mandate that the account header, profile photo and organization name are consistent with how the organization presents itself online elsewhere, a policy likely designed to ensure that orgs don't try to obfuscate their identity or present their accounts in a way that would confuse users that the account belonged to a political organization.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or explanations, use "do not obfuscate" to emphasize the importance of clarity and prevent confusion. This is particularly useful in technical or complex contexts.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex or technical language in an attempt to sound intelligent, as this can unintentionally "obfuscate" your message. Instead, prioritize clear and simple communication to ensure your audience understands your point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not obfuscate" functions as a negative imperative, directly instructing someone to avoid making something unclear, confusing, or unintelligible. It's used to emphasize the importance of clarity in communication. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not obfuscate" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, functioning as a negative imperative to promote clear and direct communication. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, but particularly valuable in news, science, and general writing, where precision is essential. While synonyms like "be clear" or "be straightforward" offer simpler alternatives, "do not obfuscate" carries a specific emphasis on avoiding intentional ambiguity or deception. Remember, prioritizing clarity prevents misunderstandings and ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be clear

This is a direct and simple command to avoid ambiguity.

do not confuse

Focuses on avoiding the creation of misunderstanding.

be straightforward

Emphasizes honesty and a lack of complexity in communication.

do not mislead

Highlights the importance of avoiding deception.

avoid ambiguity

Stresses the importance of being precise and easily understood.

state clearly

Suggests presenting information in an unambiguous manner.

be explicit

Calls for directness and leaving nothing implied.

do not cloud the issue

Directs to avoid making the subject more difficult to understand.

elucidate, don't obscure

Pairs a positive action (elucidate) with the negative action to avoid (obscure).

present transparently

Advises openness and honesty in presentation.

FAQs

How can I use "do not obfuscate" in a sentence?

You can use "do not obfuscate" when instructing someone to be clear and straightforward in their communication. For example, "In your report, please "do not obfuscate" the findings; present them directly and concisely."

What's a simpler way to say "do not obfuscate"?

Simpler alternatives include "be clear", "do not confuse", or "be straightforward". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever appropriate to "obfuscate" something?

While clarity is generally preferred, there may be specific situations where "obfuscation" is intentionally used, such as in cryptography or for artistic effect. However, in most professional and academic contexts, it's best to avoid "obfuscation" and prioritize clear communication.

What is the difference between "obfuscate" and "confuse"?

"Obfuscate" implies intentionally making something unclear or difficult to understand, often to deceive or mislead. "Confuse" simply means to cause someone to feel bewildered or uncertain, without necessarily implying intent. Therefore, the phrase "do not confuse", would imply to not make things difficult to understand without necessarily imply intention.